West Angeles Church of God In Christ, First Lady Mae L. Blake, and the Women’s Affairs Organization celebrated a glorious Women’s Day on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, 2016. The color for the day was blue, and the women of West Angeles were resplendent in shades which ranged from pale blue to rich navy.

Supervisor Francis Elizabeth Harris, in a beautiful pale blue robe made especially for the day, thanked Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. and First Lady Mae L. Blake for the opportunity to deliver the Word for the 8 a.m. service, expressing her humility for the honor of being asked to do so.

“Paul said, ‘It’s an effectual door,'” Supervisor Harris began. “In other words, it’s a door that doesn’t open every day.”

Before her sermon titled, The Expectation of Excellence, “Mother Harris,” as she is affectionately known, recalled a miracle of answered prayer during a time of personal sorrow many years ago.

“In 1975, my mother passed away from breast cancer. For a few years I sat at a desk at my local church, tears running under my chin. I said, ‘Lord, all these folks that say they hear from You, and they have divine revelation… why doesn’t somebody see my hurt? Why can’t somebody care?’”

And at that moment, Lady Mae called her, extending her compassion and love on Mother’s Day.

On the program for the morning services were dynamic performances by the Chosen Vessels Dance Ministry, a vocal duet by husband and wife Franklin and Nyjah Westbrooks, a classical piano solo by 19-year-old Justin Syas, who will study in England at Cambridge this summer, and the fabulous Women’s Day Choir, led by anointed Music Director Trenora Parker.

“What a great, anointed ministry that God has given us…Lady Mae, we salute you today. You’re a woman of excellence.”

“Pursuing excellence does not mean that you are superhuman…Excellence is best described in Colossians 3:23 – And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” – Supervisor Francis Elizabeth Harris

“A word to the mothers: this is Mother’s Day…and even when our children don’t see their way, we ought to be their way. Help your children to see what they don’t see.”

“There’s just a little something that kept coming to me, and we all need to say it as women of the Lord: ‘My tree must blossom.’”

“There’s nothing more beautiful than a beautiful tree bearing fruit in season.”

“All the hard work has been done. You labored, you toiled; now the work is over. You’re entitled to the fruit…You have the right to expect the reward of your labor.”

“God has looked upon us today with favor, and has placed us in a favorable circumstance for bringing forth fruit.”

“Bishop and Lady Mae; they preach, they teach, and they live the example of holiness. And because he preaches truth, it affords us the opportunity to recognize many ills that plague many people’s lives today.”

“Because we are forewarned through the Word, we who receive and apply the Word of God in our daily lives are able to escape and even avoid many sinful and harsh environments that others face day to day.”

“Sometimes we take what God has given us for granted, and don’t take note of what has been given to us freely.”

“God has given us great culture and care. Can somebody say, ‘Ministries’?”

“A word to the mothers: “This is Mother’s Day…and even when our children don’t see their way, we ought to be their way. Help your children to see what they don’t see.” – Supervisor Francis Elizabeth Harris

“I don’t care how hard you did what you did, or what you thought, you still don’t deserve it.”

“Sometimes we have to figure out what to wear. Sometimes we have more than one color to go with one outfit…but God has given us choice. Somebody shout out, ‘Better way!’”

“On top all God’s goodness, he has also given us and blessed us with the gift of the Holy Ghost…all you have to do is ask for it.”

“Get happy about being saved. Get happy for giving up your sins, and tell God, ‘Thank you!’”

“The Holy Ghost is a gift!”

“God has a reason to expect exceptional fruit from a tree on which He has bestowed such exceptional advantages.”

“If truth be told, our lives should be better. We should be more dedicated. We should be more committed. We should be able to give freely, and glorify God. He told us to set our affections on things above and let God do the work.”

“Righteousness, meekness, and moral excellence spring forth from our day in Christ and our devotion to God.”

“It does not matter how good you are at doing what you’ve prepared yourself for in life, you can always improve and stay up to date in a changing world. That’s what God is expecting us to do.”

“God expected fruit when He came to the tree, but because there was none, He was disappointed. We don’t want to disappoint God with our daily lives. We want to live a life that is pleasing in His sight.”

“My Mamma used to tell me all the time, ‘If you want to be a good wife, you’ve got to stay in your house…Don’t be busy in other women’s houses.’”

“Identify your weaknesses.”

“Donny McClurkin says, ‘We fall down, but we get up.’ But you’ll know what tripped you!”

“Remedy your flaws, because we want to be the best we can be.”

“Take responsibility at the earliest opportunity. Say, ‘Yeah, that was me.’”

“You can act a lie as well as tell a lie. You can be a lie by being quiet and not stepping up to the plate.”

“Never be afraid to learn, and use the lessons of your failure.”

“Even when you miss an opportunity, don’t waste time on regrets. Examine what it was that caused you to ignore the opportunity.”

“Pursuing excellence does not mean that you are superhuman. It does not hold you in unrealistic values. Excellence is best described in Colossians 3:23-24: And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

“Bishop and Lady Mae; they preach, they teach, and they live the example of holiness.” – Supervisor Francis Elizabeth Harris

“It’s only what you do for Christ that will last.”

“When these values become a part of your everyday being, they will guide your actions, your attitude, and even your words.”

“Use what God has given you freely. The gift of the Holy Ghost is given freely. It will take you to the right person at the right time, in the right place. It will open doors where man would say, ‘No’…but that same man will turn around, change his mind – and don’t even know why he changed his mind – and tell you ‘Yes.’”

“Knowing that God is with you is key today. You must know that God is on your side.”

“Woman is made for a man, and the only way you’re going to produce? You’ve got to have a male and a female. You can’t even get electricity with two sockets!”

“Faith works – if you’re doing the will of God.”

“We’re the Lord’s vineyard.”

“I thank God for Jesus!”

“If you live right, heaven belongs to you…Be the woman that God has called you to be.”

Superintendent Francis Elizabeth Harris has been married to Pastor Jerry L. Harris for 46 years. They have two adult children – first Lady Jerice L. Kenebrew, and Pastor David E. Harris – and one grandson – David Van Harris Kenebrew. Mother Harris has been a part of the church all of her life, and has served COGIC in a variety of capacities such as Sunshine Band President, YWCC President, Evangelist Missionary, and District Missionary under Mother Lillian Morris and Bishop J.A. Blake. She began serving the Southern California First jurisdiction in 1987 under the leadership of Bishop Charles E. Blake. In 2014, General Supervisor Mother Willie Mae Rivers appointed Mother Harris as Assistant Chair of the resolutions Committee, and in 2015 was appointed a member of the Women’s Department Executive Board. Mother Harris’ mission is that her life will serve as a reservoir and instrument of the demonstration of God’s saving power, deliverance, and love for a dying world.

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http://westa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/WOMENS-DAY-sm-featured.png604600Karen Lascarishttp://westa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/logo_.pngKaren Lascaris2016-05-22 01:17:442016-05-22 01:19:01Women's Day 2016, Part I - The Expectation of Excellence